Wrench



Dec. 25, 1945. J. A. coeellLL WRENCH Filed March 7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y. m Wu w v MA. 1.

Dec. 25, 1945. Y J, A. COGBILL 2,391,394

WRENCH Filed March 7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheei 2 INVENTORL gigg f-i il ATTdRNEY.

Patented Dec. 25, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRENCH Joseph 'A. Cogbill, Fanwood, N. .1. Application March 7, 1944, is. 525349 This invention relates generally to improvements in hand tools; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to improvements in wrenches of the socket type.

ie invention has for an object to provide a novel construction of wrench oi the socket type having an annular head frame provided with a suitable hand lever or, handle aflixed theretofor extension therefrom, and novel means affixed to and within said head frame to form the angular orifice or polygonal socket of the wrench; thus providing a wrench construction requiring but a minimum of material in its make-up, and consequently one of low production cost, while-nevertheless one of great durability and strength'in use.

The invention'has for a further object 'to provide a novel wrench structure wherein the means adapted-to form the angular orifice or polygonal socket thereof comprises a plurality of sheet metal socket forming elements, each of which is bent to form a series of angularly related socket wall sections, whereby, when said elements are assembled within the surrounding annular head frame so as to be secured to and embraced thereby, the assembly will form an angular orifice or polygonal socket of desired shape; the socket wall sections as related to and engaged by the 3*3 inFig 1, but drawn on an enlarged scale; and Fig. Me an enlarged perspective viewloi-tme of the socket forming elementsof the same.

Figs. -5 and-6 are respectively fragmentary face views of modified forms ofsocket wrench structure embodying the principles of this invention. Fig. 7 is a face view of another form of socket Wrench according to this invention; and Fig. 8 .is

' alongitudinal sectional view thereof, taken on line 8-8 in Fig. 7.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

' head frame 10 provided by a circular metallic surrounding head frame, either per se or by associated means, providing a truss formation of great strength, whereby stresses and strains exerted upon the orifice .or socket sides in use of the wrench are so distributed and absorbed that risk of deformation of the socket structure is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a socket wrench head comprising an assembly of elements so related as to provide a symmetrical reenforci-ng truss formation in support of the elements which provide the work. engaging parts of the wrench; and wherein said work engaging parts'may be variously shapedand disposedto cooperatively fit and engage particular kinds and shapes of work desired to be operated .u'pon by the wrench.

Other objects of this inventionpnot at this time more particularly enumerated, will be understood from the following detailed description of the same.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown'in the accompanying drawings, in which- "Fig. 1 is a race view of one iorm of socket wrench made according to this invention; i 2 is aside elevational view thereof; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken on line hand or ring of desired wall thielmess, height and diameter. Ailixed to the outer-surface of said head frame Ill, "for extension therefrom, is a hand lever or handle H of suitable length. Said hand lever or handle H is preferably provided with-a widened inner end portion I 2, the extremity of which is arcuately shaped'to conform 'to'the outer circumference of the head frame HI, when abutted upon the same. Said head frame and hand 1ever or handle are preferably united by welding the same together, thus'iorming a strong unitary structure,

The means to provide an angular orifice or polygonal socket within the head frame W comprises a -plurality of sheet metal socket forming elements. These socket forming elements may vary in number and may comprise two or more, and the same may be respectively shaped according to'a given polygonal shape of orifice or socket desired to be formed by a given assembly thereof, or according to the form of truss structure desired to be furnished thereby.

In the arrangement of socket forming elements as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, each comprises a body I3 of sheet metal .of suitable thickness, length and width. Each said sheet metal body is formed, by means of suitable dies or other forming tools, into a generally arcuate shape but comprising a series of connected angularly related successive socket wall sections M, forming one "with another alternated included external and the other.

form, which, when assembled together in opposed relation, define a complete socket structure. It will be understood however that the socket structure formation may be produced from more than two arcuate elements, e, g., it may comprise three, four, six or more thereof. It will also be obvious that, in some cases, the complete series of angularly related socket wall sections l4 may optionally be produced unitarily from either a continuous or discontinuous sheet metal band or ring.

The socket formation, when produced as described, is sized to fit snugly within the annular head frame Ill, so that the outer apices I5 of the angularly adjoined socket wall sections M will impinge upon the internal circumferential face of said head frame. When the socket forming elements are assembled and inserted within the head frame l0, said outer apices l5 of the angularly adjoined socket wall sections M are securely affixed to the head frame, preferably by welding the 1 s'amethereto. Opposed meeting ends of said assembled elements are likewise securely joined together, preferably by welding. The height of the socket structure is preferably, but not necessarily,

- greater than that of the head frame, so that the respective open faces of said socket structure lie in planes outwardly offset from the respective face planes of the head frame.

It will be appreciated that the angularly adjoined socket wall sections, with their apices abutted against the external embracing head frame, mutually reenforce each other when selected faces thereof engage work to be manipulated, since said wall sections together with intermediate portions of the head frame form triangular truss like structures, whereby stresses and strains incident to manipulation of the work are resolved into those of tension and compression which are uniformly distributed and absorbed,

and consequently a, wrench head of great durabil ity and strength is provided which is strongly resistant to injurious deformation in use.

The socket forming elements may be variously shaped to provide, when assembled, orifices or sockets of any selected peripheral shape, as, e. g.,-.

hexagonal, octagonal, square or of other desired polygonal form.

In the modified form of wrench according to this invention shown in Fig. 5, an arrangement and shape of socket forming elements is provided which is adapted to form a socket orifice of single hexagonal shape. Each said socket forming element comprises a sheet metal body bent to provide a series of connected angularly related successive full size socket wall sections I6. Said socket forming elements are assembled in opposed relation, to complete the hexagonal socket orifice, and then inserted within the head frame I0, so that the apices ll of angularly adjoined socket wall' sections impinge upon th internal circumferential face of said head frame, being secured thereto preferably by welding. In this construction, each socket wall section It is braced by a radial strut l8 interposed between the medial portion thereof and the opposing part of the head frame wall; these struts I8 are fixed in such relation preferably by welding their ends respectively to the said parts of the wall sections and head frame. It will be observed that this modified arrangement also furnishes a truss-like construction of great durability and strength.

'tAnother modified form of the wrench of this invention is shown in Fig. 6. In this form, the

. socket orifice is of square shape, and is provided by opposed socket forming elements of right angular shape to form angularly related socket wall sections 19. In this case also, the assembled socket forming elements are inserted within the head frame I0, so that the apices 20 of the angles thereof impinge upon the internal circumferential face of said head frame, being secured thereto preferably by welding, Each wall section I9 is braced by angular strut elements 2|, the legs of which are footed upon the external sides of the socket wall sections IS, with their apices 22 impinging upon the internal circumferential face of the head frame In, such contacting points being secured to these parts preferably by welding. It

will be obvious that the angular strut elements 2| combine with the head frame and socket forming elements so as to provide a truss-like structure of great strength and durability.

.It is sometimes desired to produce wrenches having special shapes of socket orifices adapted to correspond to and fit particular shapes of work desired to be manipulated by the wrench. An example of wrench construction, within the principles and scope of this invention, adapted to such end is shown in Figs. '7 and 8, wherein the same includes the head frame In and hand lever or handle means ll|2 extending therefrom. Inserted within the head frame 10 are truss-like socketforming elements providing a series of connected angularly related successive wall sections 23, the outer apices 24 of angularly adjoined wall sections 23 impinging upon and being secured, preferably by Welding, to the internal circumferential face of the head frame H). The socket defining means comprises an internal socket forming annulus 25, upon the external circumferential surface of which the inner apices 2B of angularly adjoined wall sections 23 impinge, and to which they are secured, preferably by welding. Secured to the internal circumferential surface of said socket forming annulus 25 are suitably shaped and spaced wrench lug 21, which are arranged to correspond to and operatively engage a particular shape of work to which the wrench is desired to be operatively fitted for manipulation thereof. It will be observed, that this construction also provides a truss-like bracing structure for support of the socket defining means so that stresses and strains incidental to use of the Wrench are uniformly distributed and absorbed, thus assuring a wrench of adequate strength and durability. It will be understood that many variations of form are possible of attainment in this type of wrench construction, the described form merely being by way of exemplicaticn.

I am aware that various changes, in addition to those already mentioned, could be made in the above described constructions, and that widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the here following claims. It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A Wrench of the socket type comprising anannular head frame having a hand lever afiixed thereto for extension therefrom, and means disposed within said head frame adapted to form a polygonal socket orifice, said latter means comprising socketforming elements of sheet metal bent to provide a series of angularly related socket wall sections and assembled to define a socket posed to impinge upon and being affixed to said head frame.

2. A wrench of the socket type comprising an annular head frame having a hand lever aflixed thereto for extension therefrom, means disposed within said head frame adapted to form a polygonal socket orifice, said latter means comprising socket forming elements of sheet metal bent to provide a series of angularly related socket wall sections and assembled to define a socket orifice of desired shape, the apices of external angles of said socket forming elements being disposed to impinge upon and being afiixed to said head frame, and pairs of angularly adjoined strut elements intermediate each socket wall section and said head frame and adapted to form truss-like reenforcement for said wall sections.

3. A wrench of the socket type comprising an annular head frame having a hand lever affixed thereto for extension therefrom, means disposed within said head frame adapted to form a polygonal socket orifice, said latter means comprising socket forming elements of sheet metal bent to provide a series of angularly related socket wall sections and assembled to define a socket orifice of desiredshapathe apices of external angles of said socket forming elements being disposed to impinge upon and being affixed to said head frame, and trussing means afiixed to and between said socket wall sections and the head frame portions opposed thereto.

4. A wrench of the socket type comprising an annular head frame having a hand lever afiixed thereto for extension therefrom, and means disposed within said head frame adapted to form a polygonal socket orifice, said latter means comprising a sheet metal formation bent to provide a series of angularly related socket wall sections arranged to define a socket orifice of desired shape, the apices of external angles of said formation being disposed to impinge upon and being aflixed to said head frame.

5. A wrench of the socket type comprising an annular head frame having a hand lever aflixed thereto for extension therefrom, and means disposed within said head frame adapted to form a polygonal socket orifice, said latter means comprising a sheet metal formation bent to provide a series of angularly related socket Wall sections arranged to define a socket orifice of desired shape, the apices of external angles of said formation being disposed to impinge upon and being affixed to said head frame, and trussin means affixed to and between said socket wall sections and the head frame.

. JOSEPH A. COGBILL 

